Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.

Japan: How You Can Help

By now, I’m sure you’ve watched video and seen photos of the devastation in Japan following the 9.0 earthquake, many aftershocks, and tsunami. I have to admit, I’ve had to stop several times, feeling emotionally overwhelmed, crying my eyes out at the horror, and imagining what it would be like to experience something of that magnitude here.

It’s also made me feel incredibly grateful, and to brush aside small, petty things that might normally irk me. Well, maybe not, since I was still annoyed by people all weekend…but, gratitude and annoyance are not mutually exclusive.

One thing I do want to do, along with everyone else I know, is find a way to help the people of Japan. Sure, the country is not destitute and lacking in technology like Haiti, but the sheer volume of damage is so immense.

I have contacts in Los Angeles who have directed me to the following agencies:

Many people have generously asked us at LTSC how they could help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The following is some information for those who wish to help or are seeking to get help.

CASH DONATIONS

This is the quickest and easiest form of assistance which can be applied broadly to aid disaster areas and provide an infusion of economic aid. The following groups are among the many reputable relief programs:

Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
They are a Japanese and Japanese American business association and are collecting donations on behalf of UNICEF (United Nations Childrens Fund). Checks can be made payable to “US Fund for UNICEF” with the note “Japan Disaster Fund” and send to:
244 South San Pedro Street, Room 504, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Call (213) 626-3067 for more info.

Japan America Society of So. Calif.A 100-year old nonprofit with both local and national chapters, has set up a special fund. Checks may be sent to:
Japan America Society, 345 So. Figueroa St., Suite M-1, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
Identify “Japan Earthquake Relief Fund” in the check memo line. Call (213)626-6217 for more info.
Secure online donations can be made at www.jas-socal.org

Red Cross
Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief. People can donate via their website and also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those impacted by today’s events.

The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with 2 million volunteers nationwide. It has deployed 95 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, including doctors and nurses. It is currently operating emergency medical and relief operations in the stricken areas.

The best way to contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan is to through the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also offered to assist Japan with restoring family links via their website at www.icrc.org/familylinks.

One-Day Donation Drive at LA City Hall by Councilmember Jan Perry
Drive and drop off your cash or check donations (made out to American Red Cross/Japan Disaster) at City Hall on Main Street between First and Temple streets between 6 am and 6 pm on Thursday, March 17. You won’t have to leave your car.

LTSC SERVICES AVAILABLE DURING THIS DISASTER CRISIS

Diskovery Computer Center – Making Contacts in JapanGoogle has made available a special search feature (“People Finder”) to assist persons seeking contact with victims in affected areas of Japan. The DISKovery computer center in Little Tokyo (with 20 workstations) will be made available daily from 10 am – 2 pm on Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning Tuesday, March 15th. Technical assistance (in English and Japanese) will be provided to assist anyone who needs help using the various online tools and methods of communications to contact or find loved ones in Japan. Please call (213) 621-4158. The DISKovery Center is located at: 353 East First Street, in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

To call for more information or supportThere are many members of our community who want to give assistance during this time of tragedy. At the same time, we realize that there are others who could use a little support themselves. Here are some places people can call:

Nikkei Helpline: volunteers are available primarily for Japanese-speakers at (213) 473-1633 or 1-800-NIKKEI-1.Ryugakusei Helpline: is similar to Nikkei Helpline but is for Japanese students here in Los Angeles. Please call (213) 473-1630 or 1631.Little Tokyo Service Center: LTSC’s bilingual Social Services staff can be reached by calling (213)473-3035.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.